Elizabeth Paape appointed to Oconto County Board, fills vacant seat

Elizabeth Paape of Sobieski was sworn in June 21 as the new Oconto County Board member for District 4.

“I appreciate this opportunity, and I look forward to serving the (citizens) of Oconto County in this capacity,” Paape told the board.

The term will end in April 2020.

She replaces Chris Augustine, who resigned May 1, four weeks after he was re-elected. Augustine said he was no longer able to devote enough time to the board because of increasing work responsibilities. He served two terms.

Paape is retiring soon as the dean of public safety programs at NWTC in Green Bay, where she has worked for 28 years. She was named associate dean in 2001 and dean in 2004.

She was nominated by the town of Little Suamico Board, which is chaired by District 1 supervisor Elmer Ragen.

Paape said she has lived in Oconto County since 1990. She has two children, Stephanie, who just started a physician assistant program at Pace University in New York City, and Ryan, who is studying aerospace aviation at the University of North Dakota. Her husband, James, passed away in 2014.